Switzerland – The Association of International Summer Sports Federations has strongly criticized the IAAF’s unprecedented decision to award financial prizes to the winners of the Mother of the Games competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a statement with rare firmness once morest one of its most powerful members, the International Summer Sports Federations Association enumerated the “concerns” it intends to raise to the world athletics body, which did not consult anyone before announcing last week that it wanted to award $50,000 (47,000 euros) to each Olympic champion in the world. the future.
She added, “For many, among the organization’s thirty Olympic sports members, this initiative undermines the values of the Olympic spirit and the unique character of the Games. The Olympic gold medal is priceless and should not have anything in return.”
She continued, “Moreover, not all sports can or should take this step, even if they want to,” as financial situations vary from one discipline to another.
She considered that “paying bonuses in a multi-sport environment contradicts the principle of solidarity,” especially since athletics is one of the three best-supported federations from the International Olympic Committee – along with gymnastics and swimming – and also benefits from a lucrative attendance for its own competitions.
She explained, “For the wealthier federations, a consensus has emerged on the necessity of investing Olympic revenues (…) as a priority in development and integrity.”
The IAAF responded in a statement that its decision to award prize money “aims to underscore our firm commitment to empowering athletes and recognize the critical role they play in the success of any Olympic Games.”
“But we believe it is important to ensure that some of the revenue generated by our athletes at the Olympic Games will be returned directly to those who make the Games the global spectacle that they are,” the International Federation added.
World Athletics’ total prize pool of $2.4 million will come from the IOC revenue allocation the federation receives every four years.
Source: AFP
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2024-04-20 09:51:22